

A Townhouse For All The Family
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The Property
This north London property is a spacious, well laid out, Edwardian double-fronted house with a wonderful view of Queen’s Park. The owners bought it in early 2021 and we were handed the project in the spring of 2022. After purchasing, the house had an extension and several layout alterations, with the entire project taking just over a year. The clients live here with their three children, two daughters and a son. Spread across three floors, there are four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two living rooms and an extra sitting room area in the kitchen.
The Brief
The owners came to us because we are based quite close to the house, and they shared our love of combining new and old. They wanted to preserve the character of the house while updating it to work for their family. They also wanted to inject colour, albeit in a calming and soft manner, and felt we would push the use of colour just enough for them to make choices they may not have made without us.
Our brief was to create a warm, layered and calm family home – as practical as it was beautifully considered. While it was key for the house to feel calm and settled, the owners were adamant it mustn’t feel boring. They were drawn to honest, natural materials and colours, and were keen to incorporate these into the design scheme. They also liked contrast – new against old, the rough with the smooth. One of our clients had Iranian heritage and we were keen to incorporate elements that tied into this, such as the Persian rugs and the pendants in the master bedroom suite.
The clients were keen to achieve some separation between the family area and the more adult spaces, and to have the ability to close off the playroom/TV room to hide the mess at a moment’s notice.
TAKE THE TOUR
The Kitchen
We used such a large kitchen island unit because it houses oodles of storage and is a real congregation point, while providing a clear break between the host and guests.
Kitchen units: 202 Design
Wall paint: Studio Green by Farrow & Ball in a specialist lacquer finish
Splashback: ‘Arabescato Verde’ honed marble from 202 Design
Bar stools: Neva Counter Stool, Treske at Heal's
Globe pendants: vintage find
Chandelier: Arteriors
Upholstered chairs: Julian Chichester, upholstered in Perennials, Tatton stripe 860
Table: 19th-century English oak long dining table
Doors: custom steel from Perla sprayed in a dark bottle green
The Pantry
This is a newly created space as a larder was on the client’s wish list. The red colour pop is a great way of introducing more saturated colour to lesser used areas of the house, and such a lovely way of bringing a little joy to the everyday.
Shelves: painted in Arras by Little Greene
Floor tiles: Espiga Encaustic, Bert & May
The Living Room
This is a casual space off the kitchen where the family can relax together. We went for grounding tones, including a earthy reds and deep greens, for a calming yet interesting scheme.
Chair: Similar Speakeasy Armchair, TROVE by Studio Duggan
Sofa: Similar Hampshire 3 Seater Sofa, Dusk
Lamps: Similar Draycott Table Lamp, Pooky
Cushion: Brique Linen Cushion, TROVE by Studio Duggan
The Sitting Room
This is a sophisticated space for the parents to relax in – somewhere calm, comfortable and toy free, or a place to entertain. Art-deco club chairs and a traditional ottoman sit happily with a custom sofa designed by our studio and our contemporary armchair. A calm and cohesive colour scheme and mix of natural fabrics pulls the look together.
Sofa: bespoke design by Studio Duggan upholstered in Pure 2 Dawn Breeze, De le Cuona
Ottoman: antique, upholstered in Sound Cedar by Larsen with Bali Jute Border in Burlap by Samuel & Sons
Wall paint: Sabi Grey, Atelier Ellis
Lights: Burton Pendant Light, Vaughan
Floor lamp: Shelley by Jim Lawrence, with Susan Deliss lampshade
The Cloakroom / The Boot Room
Cloakroom :
The traditional, chalky, lime-wash walls in the cloakroom sit so well against the sleek lines of the contemporary bronze wall lights. A vintage Italian mirror and custom Italian sink add interest in a very discreet way.
Mirror: vintage Italian
Sink: custom Italian
Boot Room :
Storage is key in any home but particularly one with children – shoes and bags always need a place, and these floor-to-ceiling cupboards are a winning solution.
Lantern: Similar Earle Glass Pendant Ceiling Light, John Lewis
Storage Baskets: Similar Raga Rectangular Wicker Basket, AM.PM
Blind: Similar Relaxed Belgian Linen Cordless Roman Shades, KateMadeCreative
The Utility Room
This is a new space with function and practicality at its centre, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t make it a joy to be in – and hopefully make laundry day tasks a bit more palatable.
Tiles: Similar Vernon Rustic White Matt Ceramic Wall Tiles, Victorian Plumbing
Walls: Jonquil, Edward Bulmer Paint
The Dressing Room
This new space ensures the bedroom is kept clutter-free from clothes by offering bespoke storage in a simple, clean space.
Wall paint: Cotta, Atelier Ellis
Wood paint: Solstice, Atelier Ellis
Pendant light: Paolo Moschino
The Main Bedroom
I love the feel of the master suite – it is very calm and cohesive, and has a lovely light. The rug was chosen to bring a subtle interest and pattern to this neutral space and embrace our client’s heritage.
Wall paint: Cotta by Atelier Ellis
Bed: Sydney Large Emperor headboard, Lorfords; upholstered in Quantock by Fermoie
Lumbar Cushion: Similar Le Manach Lumbar, TROVE by Studio Duggan
Chest of drawers: Gustav, TROVE by Studio Duggan
Bedside lights: client’s own, with Pattini lampshade by OKA
Trays: Lacquer trays, TROVE by Studio Duggan
Rug under bed: Hand-knotted Persian tabriz vintage rug, Vinterior
The Main Ensuite
It’s a real retreat. The copper bath overlooks the park through the privacy shutters, which is just such a luxury in London. The marble is a wonderfully dramatic yet natural feature, and I love how the two basins set the scene for the fully marble-clad shower and steam room. The rest of the space was kept calm to allow this to shine.
Bath: Marseille Cyprium Copper Bateau, Cast Iron Bath Co.
Marble: Calacatta Viola
Light: Bryant wall light, hand-rubbed antique brass, Andrew Martin
Artwork: Client’s own
Mirror: Aperture mirror, Anthropologie – customised to offer in-wall storage
The Green Kids Bedroom
The walls were intended to feel like a mural and allow the eye to wander…
Bed: Tree House Cabin bed in Jungle Green, Mathy by Bols
Rug: Bear, Ferm Living
Wallpaper: Wilton Confetti, Sandberg
The Family Bathroom
Green and pink always work well together and this subtle combination creates a restful scheme.
Tiles: Calacatta tumbled hexagon marble mosaic 870, Starel Stones; Candent Gloss Crackle Scrunch with Moldura Scrunch, Solus
Reeded cabinets: bespoke, painted in Windmill Lane, Little Greene
Wall lights: Cheltenham, Jim Lawrence
Wall paint: Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball
The Guest Bedroom
It's always worth making the most of under-eaves storage in an attic room. This guest room has built-in cupboards in a reeded finish to add a bit of interest.
Headboard: Lancaster Headboard, TROVE by Studio Duggan
Covered in: Similar Petite Ikat French Linen, Frank Thomas Interiors
Armchair: Similar Modern Curves Boucle Occasional Chair, Dunelm
Lumbar Cushion: Similar Le Manach Lumbar, TROVE by Studio Duggan
Cushion: Similar Luxe Cushion, Malini
The Nursery
We chose to create a pretty (but not too childlike) woodland theme which was intended to see their young daughter through for many years to come.
Feature wall: Eugenia Barrios
Ceiling light: Banbury, Soho Home
Cot: Paul handmade rattan crib, Bermbach
Chair: Stroheim, Biron Strie check, Venus Rose, Turnell & Gigon
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Photography by Kensington Leverne
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